Composite electric conductor



July 26, 1927. 1,637,033

D. BASCH COMPOSITE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR Filed June 1925 OUTLET Inventor: David Basch,

Hls Attorney.

Patented July 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE.

DAVID BASCH, OF SCHENECTAIDY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMPOSITE ELECTRIC CONDUCTOR.

Application filed June 5, 1925. Serial No. 35,262.

The present invention relates to the manufacture of aluminum coated copper conduc-- tors, and as a consequence of my invention I have provided a conductor in which the core and coating are so well united that they will not separate, and in which the core is not injured or oxidized during the process of manufacture.

Heretofore, when attempt were made to coat copper wire with aluiinum, it was found that the copper when brought into contact with molten aluminum became oxidized so that the coating would be imperfect. A tin coating on the copper also became oxidized. Furthermore, molten aluminum alloyed with the copper to such an extent that wire being coated became reduced in diameter, its strength and current carrying capacity were impaired and it was ren-- dered brittle.

In accordance with my invention a nonferrous foundation metal such as copper is first coated with nickel and then aluminum is applied upon the nickel. .No deleterious effects are produced by molten aluminum upon nickel-coated copper.

The accompanying drawing shows in Fig. 1 somewhat diagrammatically an appara- ,tus suitable for carrying out my invention,

and in Fig. 2 shows in enlarged cross-section a' conductor embodying my invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, copper wire 1 may be drawn from a reel or spool 2 through an electroplating device 3 where the wire is coated with nickel in the usual way. The

wire passes over suitable guides, two of which are shown at 4 and 5, and it functions as cathode in the plating bathin conjunc tion with an anode 6. 40

way. The concentration and char cter of the nickel plating bath [and the rate of progression of the wire through the bath Electrical contact to the wire is made through the reel 2, .or in any other suitable will depend on the size of the wire and other conditions. After emerging from the plating cell 3 the Wire passes through a washing tank 7 and then through a wiper 8 where excess moisture'is removed.

The wire which has been coated with a layer of nickel 9 is then passed over rotatable. guides 10, 11, 12 and 13 into a bath of molten aluminum contained within. the tank 1 1 which is maintained at the fusion temperature of aluminum by an electric heater 15. The travel of the ni'ckel coated Wire throughthis bath is maintained at sucha rate that the desired coating of aluminum 16 is deposited on the nickel coating 9 as lndicated in Fig. 2. The wire is finally wound upon a reel '17.

In some cases the coating of aluminum to advantage may be applied by heating the nickel coated wire in contact with a charge of'powdered aluminum and oxide of aluminum, as described, for example, in Van gligr Patent No. 1,155,974 of October 5,

The conductor finallymay be chemically treated to form insulating coating compris- 7 ing a hydrated aluminum oxide on its surface according to well known methods.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. An article of manufacture, comprising a foundation metal, a coating of nickel thereon and a. coating ofaluminum'superimposed on said nickel coating.

' 2. An electrical conductor comprising a core of copper, a sheath of aluminum and 89 an intermediate film of nickel.

3. An electrical conductor comprising. a coreof nonferrous metal, asheath of aluminum, and an intermediate coating .of nickel.

my hand this 4th day of June, 1925.

DAVID BA'soH.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set I 

